State GOP politicians at root of environmental problems

Published: Tuesday, February 18, 2014 at 12:15 PM.

State Sen. Phil Berger wants the General Assembly to examine the state’s response to the dumping of sewage into the Haw River and coal ash waste into the Dan River. Berger, who represents the Dan River’s backyard, received strong support from Sen. Rick Gunn, who represents Burlington where 3.5 million gallons of untreated sewage recently flowed downstream through the Haw River.

The senators want to know who is responsible for the state’s potentially illegal role in the two spills. They should look in the mirror. Berger, Gunn and their fellow Alamance Republican representatives Steve Ross and Dennis Riddell have all voted to weaken, delay or repeal the rules that protect water quality across North Carolina.

As expected by many, those politicians who hate government and distrust science are inept at governing. Regulators in the past viewed North Carolina’s citizens and the environment as their customers. In the Orwellian gilded age that Art Pope’s money created in Raleigh, polluters like Duke Energy are now treated as “customers” and regulations are burdensome barriers that should be repealed as soon as possible.

Burlington’s sewage spill headed downstream toward Jordan Lake where Gunn’s SolarBee pollution blenders will now have more work to do. For its part Duke promises to clean up their ash basins “in a way that is both environmentally appropriate and fair to our customers”. Duke’s customers are anybody who pays a Duke Energy bill. The spill and the ash dumps that threaten North Carolina’s rivers must be cleaned up, but fairness says let Duke’s management and shareholders (like Gov. Pat McCrory) pick up the tab. Duke’s ratepayers did not cause this problem or delay the remedies; Duke Energy did.

If Sens. Berger and Gunn are serious about safeguarding North Carolina’s environment, they will reverse the course set by Pope, hold polluters accountable and enforce environmental protections. If they don’t North Carolina will deserve its newfound national reputation as a state where pollution pays and polluters profit.

State Sen. Phil Berger wants the General Assembly to examine the state’s response to the dumping of sewage into the Haw River and coal ash waste into the Dan River. Berger, who represents the Dan River’s backyard, received strong support from Sen. Rick Gunn, who represents Burlington where 3.5 million gallons of untreated sewage recently flowed downstream through the Haw River.

The senators want to know who is responsible for the state’s potentially illegal role in the two spills. They should look in the mirror. Berger, Gunn and their fellow Alamance Republican representatives Steve Ross and Dennis Riddell have all voted to weaken, delay or repeal the rules that protect water quality across North Carolina.

As expected by many, those politicians who hate government and distrust science are inept at governing. Regulators in the past viewed North Carolina’s citizens and the environment as their customers. In the Orwellian gilded age that Art Pope’s money created in Raleigh, polluters like Duke Energy are now treated as “customers” and regulations are burdensome barriers that should be repealed as soon as possible.

Burlington’s sewage spill headed downstream toward Jordan Lake where Gunn’s SolarBee pollution blenders will now have more work to do. For its part Duke promises to clean up their ash basins “in a way that is both environmentally appropriate and fair to our customers”. Duke’s customers are anybody who pays a Duke Energy bill. The spill and the ash dumps that threaten North Carolina’s rivers must be cleaned up, but fairness says let Duke’s management and shareholders (like Gov. Pat McCrory) pick up the tab. Duke’s ratepayers did not cause this problem or delay the remedies; Duke Energy did.

If Sens. Berger and Gunn are serious about safeguarding North Carolina’s environment, they will reverse the course set by Pope, hold polluters accountable and enforce environmental protections. If they don’t North Carolina will deserve its newfound national reputation as a state where pollution pays and polluters profit.